Missouri Senate OKs vote on health care challenge law

Senators passed a bill 26-8 Tuesday that would put the issue to a statewide vote in August. But it would be as a state law, not an amendment to the state constitution as originally proposed.

The bill still needs final House approval to appear on the ballot.

The federal health care law requires almost all Americans to acquire health insurance or face a fine. There is an exemption for low-income people.

The proposed referendum would prohibit government from compelling people or employers to have health insurance. But it's unlikely to have an effect on the federal health care law, because federal laws generally supersede state laws.